May 27, 1934 – October 7, 2023

Joanne Faye Goehle, 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Tuff Memorial Home of Hills, Minn.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills. Burial followed at the Trinity Cemetery near Steen, Minn.

Joanne was born to Edward and Sarah Jons on May 27, 1934, in Bonesteel, S.D.   She was the oldest of 6 children, she attended Bonesteel HS where she enjoyed cheer team, glee club, theater, and art.  After graduating HS in 1952, she continued her education at South Dakota Teacher’s College in Springfield, S.D.  She then got her first teaching position in Pickstown, S.D., which lasted for one year until the completion of the Fort Randall Dam caused the workers and towns-people to move on.  While in-between jobs, serving as a waitress at the Teepee Café, she was offered a 5th grade teaching position in Luverne, Minn.

During this time she met the love of her life and future husband, Hugo Goehle, and they were united in marriage on June 15, 1958, until Hugo’s passing in 1997.  They moved to Hills where they both continued to teach in the Hills and Hills-Beaver Creek school district.  She also took some time away from teaching to raise her four children; Michele, Leanne, Brenda, and Tom.  It was during this time that Joanne owned and operated Goehle Fabrics out of the basement of their home; sewing everything from draperies to men’s suits.  In addition to that she loved arts, crafts, music, and entertaining guests for lunch after athletic events, she also headed up bean walking crews for a number of summers. Joanne was very active in her community and church and nothing exemplified her servant’s heart more than laundering the athletic teams’ uniforms for 50 years.

 As time went on she was a paraprofessional, as well as serving as the treasurer for the city of Hills and Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  Whether it be delivering meals, organizing the Hospice Tree of Lights, helping secure a new addition to the HBC elementary school, or making Christmas goodies for members of the community; it was evident to see the love of Christ come thru her as she served others. She also loved the outdoors, going for walks, and gardening.  All of this, however, did not keep her from her passion of following many sports teams, as well as the joy she found in pursuing her children and grandchildren in their various activities. 

Joanne is survived by her four children; Michele (Rick) Nester of Sioux Falls, S.D., Leanne (Steve) Carmany of Clara City, Minn.; Brenda (Mark) Hadler of Edgerton, Minn., Thomas of Lincoln, Nebr.; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; siblings, Coreen Hausmann, Kathryn Young, Ed Jons (Cheryl), Marilyn Kathol (Leon); as well as many nieces and nephews.  

She was welcomed into her Heavenly home by her husband Hugo, and a host of family and friends.